Dog Brain Inflammation
Brain inflammation in dogs can be grouped encephalitis, meningitis, and the involvement of the brain during uremia and advanced kidney diseases, acutetoxaemia, and so on.
The symptoms may come suddenly as with a fit, or may appear gradually. Although the animal seems conscious he is, for the most part, more or less oblivious of his surroundings although there may be occasional periods of comparative lucidity. He does not recognisehis owners, although he will react to food and some-times to loud noises. In mild cases the dog tends to wander about aimlessly and restlessly with a vacant expression; in more serious cases he will walk round in small circles, always in the same direction and, if restrained, will struggle to continue this circling. Violent cases will try to climb the wall and bump into obstacles. Often the dog will cry, whine or howl, and the high-pitched typical meningeal yelp is a very distressing and ominous symptom.
Little can be done by the owner. Pending arrival of the veterinary surgeon, the dog should be given suitable sedative or tranquillizer and put in a darkened, empty room or a large kennel where he cannot injure himself, until professional help has been consulted. Ice packs or cloths wrung out in very cold water are often useful when applied to the back of the skull during a quiet period.
Except in very mild cases the prognosis of this condition is extremely unfavorable, and where permanent damage to the brain exists recovery is impossible; it is kinder to have the animal put to sleep. The veterinary surgeon should be asked his frank opinion of the dog’s chances. He should always be consulted immediately whenever the brain is involved.
If treatment is to be tried, such as general anesthesia for some hours to rest the brain or powerful sedatives, the sooner it is begun the better. As it can be provided only by a qualified man, one should be consulted without delay.